The Department of Defense is looking into ways to "pump up the security" for the team of Navy SEALs who helped kill Osama bin Laden after the commandos expressed concern for their safety and the safety of their families, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday.
Gates made the comment in response to a question at a town hall meeting at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. A Marine asked what measures were being taken to protect "the identities and the lives" of the SEALs involved in the takedown of bin Laden in Pakistan a week ago, as well as other troops deployed in the region, from the threat of retaliation.
"We are very concerned about the security of our families – of your families and our troops, and also these elite units that are engaged in things like that. And without getting into any details ... I would tell you that when I met with the team last Thursday, they expressed a concern about that, and particularly with respect to their families," Gates told the audience.
"Frankly, a week ago Sunday, in the Situation Room, we all agreed that we would not release any operational details from the effort to take out bin Laden. That all fell apart on Monday, the next day."
Gates' comments offered the first insight into the mindset of the team members since they carried out the risky operation.
SEALs, short for Sea, Air and Land teams, are known as "quiet professionals." They keep a low profile because of the classified nature of their tactical operations.
The team, known as SEAL Team 6, is widely believed to have returned to American soil. But the unit is covered with such a degree of secrecy that the military won't confirm its presence.
The Marine's question underscored sentiment among military and intelligence communities that identification of the team signified an unprecedented breach of confidentiality.
Gates acknowledged the threat of retaliation against Team 6 and troops deployed in the region.
"There is an awareness that the threat of retaliation is increased because of the attacks – because of the action against bin Laden," he said. "The one thing I would tell you, though, is that I think there has been a consistent and effective effort to protect the identities of those who participated in the raid, and I think that has to continue."
A Pentagon spokesman later cautioned against interpreting Gates' response "as a criticism of any particular person or office."
"He was indeed voicing his concern about the breakdown in operational security after the killing of Bin Laden," Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Geoff Morrell said. "Anonymous sources revealing secret information about the tactics, training, and equipment of covert forces put at risk our ability to successfully mount similar missions in the future."
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"...and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." – Philippians 4:7.
What the...? Biblical sayings don't stop suicide vests worn by determined terrorists....What are you, crazy?!?
anyone that reveals these brave soldiers names to those outside the special ops should be tried for treason and jailed for a looooong time!
@Chris – I'm going to have to disagree. Trials take too long. Then we have to feed, shelter, and protect the inmates. In this instance, let a vigilante mob kill anyone who does it.
Eric of Reseda – Love you – platonically... God never protected anybody, WWII, Somalia, Yugoslavia, well too many to name... God are you there.., maybe there..., no you are not here – did you take a break?
By the way: I'm Roman Catholic – I really am!!!! They baptize me.
Go away
Well, we all know they are trained and can be trusted, so I say the government should give them lifetime permission to carry concealed firearms for their own protection. Judges, prosecutors, etc get this sort of benefit for putting themselves in harm's way, so these guys certainly deserve the same consideration. I know in many states they can already go in and apply for a permit, but to cover them in non-permit states, etc. a federal permit should be issued. Don't give me the "there isn't a federal permit" crap - this sort of thing has been done before. It's as simple as making them "reserve U.S. marshals" or something like that.
Ahmen! and to Chris above, no jail time, just SHOT ON SIGHT to ANYONE who would betray his protecter for any reason. G-d bless our soldiers!
God bless them
just finished reading "the lions game" by nelson deMille. A story of just why this situation may cause some ulcers
This is not English class! Try to get the point instead of correcting people.
oh, goody, the quiet professional killers bagged themselves another trophy. Probably took the body back to the carrier so they could strap it to the hood of a jeep, drive around in circles sucking Jack while shouting HOOOOA and BRAVO ZULU. Now they are afraid. Poor professionals...
You are an embarassing example of an Internet warrior.
Adam hit it spot on the nose.
your nickname is wrong, anti-intelligence would be more appropriate.
hey i have an idea – move to pakistan, you will like it there
until you are beheaded
I'll be worried also if I had committed murder...
I am wondering why the killing of Osama Bin Laden was even publicized at all, much less with all the detail given. Those in his "inner circle' would have learned what had happened, and whatever harm it would have done to his operation would have still been done. I thought covert operations were supposed to have been kept secret for posterity. At least that's what happened in cold war days. No one went around boasting about the success of this mission or that mission. Job was done. Nuf said. Or as they said in Mission Impossible "in the event you are caught or captured the Secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions". Regardless of how hungry the U.S. public might have been to know he was dead, I think they should have done the job, and kept it secret at the highest levels.
Sounds like a PR stunt, to me.
I think they should put them on "Dancing with the Stars" and "Survivor" maybe guest trainers on "Biggest Loser". Whoever touches them, the USA will destroy. Wasn't that the point of getting bin laden in the first place? We should not be afraid to celebrate our heroes, living in fear is the definitive goal of "terrorism".
I would love them to bag a few more of these freaks. Let's whack another high-profile terrorist. How about Zawahiri to start with? Heroes, these SEALs are!
navy seals afraid your blowing smoke ...really no one is afraid of those idiot terrorists let them come to an America house and see what they will get ..we are still allowed guns in America and we will use them ...jihad my butt
Well they don't have to worry because Bin Laden died 10 years ago from kidney failure.
no, he's alive and living with Elvis, in the shadows of your deficient mind
@CmonCNN Your an idiot! Why would Al-Qaeda acknowledge his death? Cmon are you that naive?
I never understood why there was so much information leaked, by "sources" about the deed, the information should have been restricted, and in fact different data used (seal team 7, Ranger team 44, Chuck Norris) so 'sources" could be identified. Our SEALS and their families have a right to safety as does every American.
we all know nothing that is done in the dark stays in the dark at some point some one will reveal who the team is even if there names never hit the paper. Fact is in every industry world wide there are only a few people who can do hard jobs the "special forces" isn't any different.
I wish them well in there future.